Vicky Dreiling's Blog, page 5
July 2, 2013
Regency Dances: Cotillion and Reel
More Regency Dancing!
June 30, 2013
June 19, 2013
RWA Conference – Tips
It’s summer and the 33rd annual RWA conference will be held this year in Atlanta from July 17-20. Whether this is your first or tenth conference, you know you’ve got to plan ahead of time. By now, you should be registered and have booked a room. I checked on the http://rwa.org website and there are nearby overflow hotels if you are still considering whether or not to attend. Sharing a room with 1 or 2 friends can definitely help with the room expense. If you’re just now deciding to go, you might check the RWA website to see if there are others who need a roommate. Be aware that the room likely will not be available until 3 PM, but the hotel can store your luggage.
You also need to make flight reservations or plan your driving route. If driving, you will need to plan for the expense of parking at the hotel. Call the Marriott Marquis for more information about parking.
Packing is next on the agenda. Even though I’ve attended many RWA conferences, I still find the prospect of packing daunting. Before you put last year’s cocktail dress in the bag, try it on. You don’t want to discover that your only cocktail dress is either too tight or too big. You might bring an extra little black dress in the event you get an unexpected invitation. P.S. No one will know whether you bought it at J.C. Penney or Nordstrom. 
So what are the absolute essentials?
Comfortable shoes for the workshops as your feet will swell from all the walking.
Dressy sandals or pumps for the awards ceremony and parties.
Four business casual outfits plus one extra in case you spill something on your clothes. One year, my agent cut into a chicken that squirted grease on her dress!
A shrug or light sweater. It’s hot in the south, but the air conditioning in the workshop rooms and restaurants is freezing. Brrr!
Nightgown & slippers
Underwear
Cosmetics, toiletries, bandaids (in case you get a blister), OTC drugs, pack prescription drugs in your overhead bag if flying.
Your laptop or iPAD if you plan to write.
Don’t forget the charger for your phone!
Pen(s) and a mini spiral notebook to make notes at workshops.
Plan which workshops you’ll attend now. They’re listed on the RWA site. Input them in your phone now, and then once you get the schedule at the conference, all you have to add is the workshop room name!
There are luncheons on Thursday and Friday with speakers, so those two meals are covered.
There is a Starbucks, but go early as the lines will likely be long. There is also a small M-store with sandwiches, etc. Here’s a link: http://www.rediscovermarquis.com/
Here is a list to nearby restaurants: http://bit.ly/19S3Txn. Ask the concierge for recommendations/reservations.
Appointments: If you’re pitching a book, you’re likely to be nervous. Most of the time, the agent or editor will request the material, but in the event,she doesn’t I want you to think of it as *just not a good fit* for the two of you. I know folks who felt that they wasted money at a conference because they didn’t get a request or because the response was lukewarm. Remember that agents and editors have personal preferences just like we do. Agent A may not be for you, but Agent B might love it. If you need tips on pitching a manuscript, go to the RWR archives, October 2012 and read my article THE PITCH BEGINS WITH PREMISE. Several writers told me they used my process and got requests!
Most of all, make new friends and have fun! Remember we all have the same thing in common. We love romance novels!
What are your tips for the RWA Conference?
May 27, 2013
Interview with Jennifer Haymore
Vicky: So, Jennifer, you’ve started a new series, The House of Trent. It begins with THE DUCHESS HUNT, releasing on June 25. Can you tell me a bit more about it?
Jennifer: Hi, Vicky! The House of Trent is a series revolving around Simon Hawkins, the Duke of Trent, his four brothers, and his sister. They’re all adults now and living their own lives, but when their mother mysteriously disappears, it brings all of them together again. The series goes like this:
THE DUCHESS HUNT (June, 2013)
THE ROGUE’S PROPOSAL (November, 2013)
THE SCOUNDREL’S SEDUCTION (May, 2014)
Vicky: Who is your favorite hero in the House of Trent Series?
Jennifer: I love all three of the heroes, Simon (the duke from THE DUCHESS HUNT), Luke (from THE ROGUE’S PROPOSAL), and Sam (from THE SCOUNDREL’S SEDUCTION). They are three very different men, but they’re all so heroic. Simon is responsible and good—always struggling to do the right thing and make the right choices for his family. His younger brother Luke is the broken rogue who feels he can never be a good man but secretly wants nothing more than to be a hero. The eldest brother Sam is the stoic warrior who will sacrifice anything to protect those he holds dear. I love them all!
Vicky: What is your favorite scene in THE DUCHESS HUNT?
Jennifer: I tend to like torturing characters, so my favorite moments are invariably when the poor souls think all is lost. There are a lot of desperate moments in THE DUCHESS HUNT, but my favorite is when Sarah, the heroine, is in Scotland getting married…but not to the hero!
Vicky: What inspired the story for THE DUCHESS HUNT?
Jennifer: I’m a big fan of Cinderella stories, and I always root for the underdog. So when I first saw Les Miserables in San Francisco years and years ago, the character of Eponine stuck in my mind. She was so in love with Marius but he barely noticed her…and it was heartbreaking. Remember that song, “On My Own”? So sad! So ever since then, I’ve wanted to write a story in which the Eponine character is finally noticed by her hero, and he falls in love with her instead of the obvious choice.
In THE DUCHESS HUNT, Sarah loves Simon deeply, but due to the differences in their social positions, he can’t notice her. Their journey isn’t an easy one, and Simon is almost as dense as Marius in the beginning of their story…but when he starts falling for her, it happens hard and fast, and do the sparks ever fly!
Vicky: What’s next for you?
Jennifer: My next novel is THE ROGUE’S PROPOSAL, which will release in November. This is Lord Luke’s story. Luke is the equivalent of a tattooed, motorcycle-riding bad-boy modern hero. He’s bad to the bone but oh-so good! I can’t wait to share his story with the world!
THE DUKE’S DESIRE
Simon Hawkins, duke of Trent, is no stranger to scandal. Rumors and innuendo have darkened the House of Trent for decades, and it has fallen to Simon to restore his tattered family name. He lives by a strict code of honor, but when he is called home to investigate his mother’s disappearance, the distinguished duke will tangle with temptation. For there waits the only woman he has ever loved-and the last woman he should desire . . .
Sarah Osborne has spent her life dreaming of Simon’s touch. But dukes do not long for lady’s maids—or so Sarah believes, until a stolen kiss sparks a passion that could be her ultimate undoing. As the couple begins a forbidden romance, a cunning enemy plots to destroy the duke and everything he loves. Now, caught in a blackmailer’s web, Simon faces an agonizing choice: sacrifice his family’s future or break Sarah’s heart.
I’d love for you to share you favorite historical romance books or tropes to read. Two lucky commenters will win a copy of WHAT A WICKED EARL WANTS. Giveaway open to US/CA. Ends 6/4. Good luck!
If you have found this blog post on Vicky’s Goodreads site, please visit her blog to leave a comment.
Jennifer Haymore grew up in California and on the Big Island of Hawaii. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from UC Berkeley and a master’s degree in Education from UCLA. Before she became a full-time writer she held various jobs from bookselling to teaching inner-city children to playing bit roles in soap operas.
You can find Jennifer in Southern California trying to talk her husband into yet another trip to England, helping her three children with homework while brainstorming a new five-minute dinner menu, or crouched in a corner of the local bookstore writing her next novel.
Connect with Jennifer:
Author Site | Facebook | Twitter
I’m going on tour with Jennifer Haymore!
Hello all! In celebration of the release of WHAT A WICKED EARL WANTS, I am going on tour with Jennifer Haymore. Please stop by any of the following blogs and say ‘hi’. Our publisher, Forever, is giving away copies of each of our books at every stop. We hope you celebrate with us!
8 Days of Desire with Vicky Dreiling and Jennifer Haymore
o May 28 – Romancing Rakes For The Love of Romance – Top 5 Playlist
o May 29 – Bookhounds – Review, excerpt & giveaway
o May 30 – Books n Kisses – Q&A
o May 31 – Under The Covers Book Blog – Top 5 list
o June 1 – Martha’s Bookshelf - Top 5 List
o June 2 – Simply Ali- Top 5 List
o June 3 – Stitch Read Cook - Fun facts, review & giveaway
o June 4 – Book Soulmates – Review & giveaway with excerpts
May 19, 2013
“The Call” by Jeannie Moon, author of The Temporary Wife
I am so excited to be on Vicky’s blog to share with you about my debut release, The Temporary Wife. It’s especially wonderful because Vicky has been an amazing mentor since we met on Twitter and then in real life at RWA in New York City. I couldn’t ask for a better friend.
So, I’m going to share the story every author loves to tell over and over. I’m going to tell you about “The Call.”
There are many things that go through an author’s head when she gets the call. Honestly, I’d visualized the moment for years. YEARS. I’d had so many close calls, I was at the point where I thought I’d never be published.
And then, everything happened. Fast.
The whole thing started out innocently enough. At the end of August, my bright, shiny new agent told me that an editor I know at NAL had a story idea she wanted me to think about. I was asked to work up a proposal for a contemporary marriage of convenience story. I know…not easy and I was skeptical. I’d been down the submission road with this house before and while I had editors there who loved my work, I wasn’t able to make a sale.
But, I worked up a story—I wrote a synopsis and sent it to my agent. We worked on it and then it went off to the editor. I put it out of my head and went back to the single title I’d been getting ready for submission.
One week later…it happened.
I was sitting in the faculty room, having lunch 7th period. It was September 12th. (Around 12:15 PM, if you want to know.) My cell phone rang and I saw my agent’s name come up on caller ID. My stomach turned over. Truly. Everything inside me just knotted up, so I stepped away from the table and took the call. All I really heard Becky say after I answered was, “They offered a three book deal.”
Oh. My. God. There was this rushing sound in my ears and I knew she was talking about advances and contracts and what details would have to be worked out, but all I could think was…I sold.
Then I heard the words that would turn me into a sleep-deprived, writing-obsessed, caffeine addict, “She wants the book in six weeks.”
What? Six?
That’s right folks, I had six weeks to write a book. Amazingly, I did do it, even as I was directing a school play and getting through Hurricane Sandy, and now the book is right there and it’s real and I’m terrified. Selling is one piece of this writing game, but surviving the release is something else altogether.
The point I’m trying to make is that there’s no easy time when you’re an author. Don’t get me wrong, everyone should have problems like mine—I’m doing something I love. But I want to be a success. I want people to enjoy my books, but getting there from here really nips at your ego from morning until night. That part doesn’t get better after you sell, it gets different.
But there’s no turning back. I’m published and I’m holding on to all the good feelings that go along with that, trying to quiet my nerves as I go. Writing about the good stuff helps.
The other thing that helps is celebrating with the people who made it possible. And Vicky is most definitely one of those people. She encouraged me as I worked to make this dream come true. So that brings me to ask…who helps you with your dreams? Who pushes you and encourages you and listens when you need an ear?
Comment and let me know.
It was an offer she couldn’t refuse…from a man she couldn’t resist.
Kindergarten teacher Megan Rossi is devoted to being a mother to her best friend’s five-year-old daughter, Molly. When the child was orphaned, Meg became the little girl’s legally named guardian—over the objections of Molly’s wealthy grandparents, the Campbells. Now the Campbells are petitioning for custody, and Meg is faced with a long and expensive legal battle. The last thing she expects is for her former high school boyfriend—and the Campbells’ estranged son—to offer a solution: marriage.
Billionaire software developer Jason Campbell knows his parents don’t have Molly’s best interests at heart—it’s all about control for them. There is one way he can ensure that his sister’s last wishes are honored. He will offer Meg the protection of his name and lawyers until the custody arrangement has been finalized , then he’ll secure his niece’s future with a very generous divorce settlement. Jason’s considered all the scenarios, except one—that the sparks that once flew between he and Meg might reignite a burning passion. And that his confirmed bachelor heart might just melt away from the heat…
Jeannie is giving away an ebook copy of The Temporary Wife. Giveaway open to US readers. Ends 5/24.
If you have found this blog post on Vicky’s Goodreads site, please visit her blog to leave a comment.
Jeannie Moon began her romance writing journey in 2000. After several books and a few close calls, she finally sold The Temporary Wife and two other books in the Forever Love series, on proposal, to Penguin’s digital first line, Intermix. Jeannie is a career educator spending time as a high school English teacher and the last 17 years as a school librarian. Married to her high school sweetheart, Jeannie has three kids, two lovable dogs and a mischievous cat, and resides on Long Island, NY. If she’s more than ten miles away from salt water for any longer than a week, she gets twitchy. Visit her on the web at www.jeanniemoon.com.
Find Jeannie:
Author Site | Facebook | Twitter
May 16, 2013
May 12, 2013
Those Nights in Montreal by Beverley Kendall Giveaway
Hello all! This week I am spotlighting the fabulous Beverley Kendall‘s recent New Adult release, THOSE NIGHTS IN MONTREAL. This is an e-novella in the Language of Love series. Be sure to check out the first book, WHEN IN PARIS.
Those Nights in Montreal
A Language of Love e-novella
Season Publishing LLC | May 6, 2013
An ex is an ex for a reason
To Rebecca Winters, it’s not just a saying or the title to a catchy tune, it’s a rule she staunchly lives by. Especially since the break up with herex. What’s the point in trying to fix the “unfixable”? Besides, only a girl hell-bent onmore heartbreak would go back to the guy who bailed on her when she needed him most. But saying no to Scott is becoming more difficult than surviving the breakup itself. And unfortunately for her, the kind of pressure he’s exerting is making her rule all too easy to break.
Scott Carver has given up trying to get over his ex. He’s still in love with her and their year apart has done nothing to change that. Yeah, he knows he screwed up. Just how royally, he wasn’t aware of until now. So when Becca agrees to give him a second chance, he grabs on to it with both hands. But it’s clear the only way things will ever truly be right between them is if he comes clean…about everything. He can only pray the truth doesn’t send her running—for good this time.
Beverley is offering five(5) ebook copies of her novella. Share your thoughts on the New Adult genre or some New Adult reads that your fellow readers should add to their TBR pile. Giveaway open to wherever this ebook is available for download. Ends 5/17.
If you have found this blog post on Vicky’s Goodreads site, please visit her blog to leave a comment.
I have always loved books, romance and wished that everyone (most especially me) would find their happily ever after. Add in my love of London, England set in a period when ladies strived to be genteel and dresses could barely fit through doors, and it was obvious I could write nothing but historical romances.
As the single mother of one too bright and mischievous young boy, I now write full-time and enjoy the process of self-publishing my novels. When I’m not writing, mothering, reading or running The Season website and blog, I’m enjoying some of my favorite hobbies: knitting, crocheting and sewing.
Connect with Beverley:
Author Site | Facebook | Twitter
April 14, 2013
The Dark Lady by Máire Claremont Giveaway
This week I am featuring and giving away a copy of THE DARK LADY by Máire Claremont. It’s her debut book as well as the 2011 Golden Heart winner for historical romance.
The Dark Lady
A Novel of Mad Passions | Book #1
Berkley | February 6, 2013
The Victorian era was full of majestic beauty and scandalous secrets—a time when corsets were the least of a woman’s restrictions, and men could kill or be killed in the name of honor….
Lord Ian Blake has returned from India a broken man. Years ago, he pledged to Lady Eva Carin—his childhood companion and ” first love—that he would bring her husband back alive. His failure haunts him. But even his jade soul can’t anticipate the shocking sight of beautiful, independent Eva confined in a madhouse….
Locked in an asylum, forgotten by society, Eva is adrift in both body and mind. For Ian to break her free, they must cross a powerful enemy—and prove her sanity to England’s unforgiving aristocracy. But the biggest danger of all may come when the secrets of Eva’s tragic past are finally unlocked….
I am giving away a copy of THE DARK LADY by Máire Claremont. Share your favorite dark romance books or authors who write dark romance. Giveaway open to US readers. Ends 4/19.
If you have found this blog post on Vicky’s Goodreads site, please visit her blog to leave a comment.
2011 Golden Heart winner Máire Claremont first fell in love with Mr. Rochester, not Mr. Darcy. Drawn to his dark snark, she longed to find a tortured hero of her own… until she realized the ramifications of Mr. Rochester locking his frst wife up in his attic. Discovering the errors of her ways, Máire now looks for a real-life Darcy and creates deliciously dark heroes on the page. Oh, and she wants everyone to know her name is pronounced Moira. Her parents just had to give her an Irish Gaelic name.
Find Maire:
Author Site | Facebook | Twitter
